New state laws relating to real estate have taken effect over the summer, many of which could impact homeowners, homebuyers and sellers in certain states. One such law, enacted in California, equalizes the rules governing escrow services performed by real estate brokers, independent escrow companies and underwritten title companies (UTCs). The law, sponsored by the...

Posted on Sep 2 2016 - 1:32pm by Paige Tepping
Comments Off on Christie Brinkley’s Bridgehampton Home Hits the Market…Again

As the summer draws to a close and the Hamptons begin to empty out, supermodel Christie Brinkley is drawing attention to the locale…to the tune of $29.5 million. Brinkley, now an empty nester (her youngest recently graduated high school and is headed to the City) is ready to downsize and begin the next phase of her life in a space that won’t feel quite so overwhelming...

By Dixie Somers If you're looking to sell your home quickly and for full market value, don't neglect your yard. Good landscaping will show buyers that you pay attention to details and that your home is properly maintained overall. How does landscaping your yard add curb appeal and increase buyer interest? No One Likes Weeds or Brown Grass Neglecting to water your...

Posted on Sep 1 2016 - 1:45pm by Suzanne De Vita
Comments Off on Airbnb Hosts Hit a Refi Hitch

Call it a bump in the refinance road. , subjected to higher interest rates and limited loan offerings, The Wall Street Journal reports. The issue lies with hosts who rent rooms for a considerable amount of time in a given year—enough time for lenders to classify them as investors, despite maintaining the listing as their primary residence. Loans on investment properties...

Posted on Sep 1 2016 - 10:00am by Housecall
Comments Off on 4 Big Storage Solutions for Tiny Spaces

By Meghan Belnap One of the worst things about living in a tiny house or apartment is the lack of storage space. When your belongings are constantly underfoot, it can be quite annoying. In this modern world, people tend to accumulate items much faster than they get rid of them. This can quickly turn an already cluttered small living space into a nightmare. If you...

Posted on Aug 31 2016 - 9:30am by John Voket
Comments Off on Homeowners: Don’t Let Containers Become Mosquito Incubators

With the arrival of the Zika virus, it’s more important than ever for homeowners to remain vigilant when it comes to standing water on their properties. Zika is primarily spread through a type of mosquito that prefers to breed in and around water collected in man-made containers. Washington’s King County Public Health Department offers the following tips to reduce...

Simply put, designer, author and TV personality Nate Berkus says your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love. But since each of us has a unique story to tell, that story unfolds in myriad ways. One person’s collection of cherished family photos is another person’s collection of 19th century French antiques; one person’s...

International screen siren Brigitte Bardot’s former vacation home is up for sale. The fully-renovated estate, situated in the hills above the French Riviera, is listed for approximately $5.65 million. Bardot absconded to the home, known as Le Castelet, after divorcing her first husband in 1957. Beautifully appointed in French country form, Bardot’s 13th century...

Labor Day’s almost here! With the holiday approaching, tell us: Which dream feature would you want in your backyard this weekend? A: Outdoor Fireplace
B: Lazy River
C: Treehouse
D: Outdoor Movie Theater To submit your pick: Follow RISMedia on Facebook.
Comment on our contest post with your answer to the question above. OR Follow RISMedia...

By Jonathan Deesing In 2015, the United States reached 27.4 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity. That’s enough power to serve 5.4 million homes, making 2015 the biggest solar year yet. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) predicts that residential installation of solar power in the U.S. will break more records and double that capacity this year. Between...